Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Phew. Ok, so it's a day early, but with the Australia Post strike debacle, I think I can officially call the Georgie Love Christmas rush over. I am pooped, disheveled, sleepy and satisfied. It's like a race to be run, a little bit more, a little bit more, push and then you are done and it's a good feeling, but I am ready for the well earned break. Tomorrow is going to be a hardcore cleaning and tidy and pack day and then we are hitting the road for Christmas with the family.

Is this my Christmas sign-off? I had so many different things to type about lately, but just not the time, energy or inclination. Maybe with a bit of breathing space I will get back into the groove. I am happy, it's been an odd little year, but I think we are coming out at the end of it on the top side of things. Lots planned for 2010, so it's going to be excitiing.

I HAD LUNCH with a trio of lovely ladies today, and let me tell you, I have some lovely ladies in my life, but these girls are up there. Smart, funny, generous and gorgeous. More please, which sounds sleazy and I don't mean that at all, but I mean, you know - more good people in my life is good. I am lucky, I have only met the best people through Georgie Love and blogland.

Ok, so YOU if you are reading this, I say sincerely to you: Have a great Christmas. And if Christmas is irrelevant to you, then have a great holiday season. I have my fingers crossed that 2010 is a brilliant year for you. Because seriously, the best is yet to come, you just have to wait and see. Much love!

(*sorry, that photo of Georgie and I is like three years old, but it WAS taken at Christmas time and is the most Christmassy photo I could find of us and as I am wearing pj pants and a skanky t-shirt, now is not the time for the Christmas photos. Sentiments are the same nonetheless! And dang that was a good haircut for me, I had my haircut last week, but it's a GROWING MY HAIR OUT haircut and is less than spectacular, awkward even)

Monday, December 14, 2009

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Living in the semi-bush like we do, wandering down, down the stairs (it's three levels, so from the bedrooms it's two levels down), one can encounter all sort of wild and revolting creature wandering about in the kitchen and or laundry (did I ever tell you about the time I walked in on a massive daddy-long-legs and smallish scorpion that were having a fight MID AIR in the laundry? I am assuming because it was mid air, the daddy was in the lead. However I left them to it and found neither again, so who knows who the final champion was. So if you have ever wandered who WOULD WIN in a fight between those two creatures - we still have no answer).

This morning there was something on the side of the sink and I thought to myself "what the F&*K is that" (note: in my head, no censoring), something brown, beady and crusty. I watched and blew on it, no movement. After a few minutes of deliberation I finally figured out that was a bit off the top of some pate (you know with the peppercorns and jelly stuff) that we had for dinner last night. So safe to touch and wash down the sink.

The reason I have a Nine Inch Nails cover to illustrate this story is that on more than one occassion I have FOUND those massive centipedes in our laundry sink (which I just accidentally typed as sick), and they are REVOLTING. They make me gag as they are just horrible looking things of nightmares. But every time I see one, I do think of Nine Inch Nails, which is neither a good or bad thing. Just neutral.

Oh also here is a community service announcement for this morning, do not EVER do a google image search for "centipedes", unless you want to revisit the honey on rye toast you had for breakfast.

[EDITED TO SAY: up-sides of living in the semi-rural, kangaroos in the backyard, peacocks who visit, owls at night, goats, sheep, chickens and ducks, parrots, black cockatoos, trees and never hearing a peep from the neighbours who aren't on top of us]

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Someone reminded me about this post I did last year, which is OH-SO-USEFUL a tip for you, and so regular a feature at any Christmas or Birthday in family, that I think everyone is sick of it. BUT, IT WORKS and is a brilliant time saver, particularly when you have way too many gifts to wrap and zero motivation. Because despite my NON-STOP DOING all day every day, I am secretly incredibly lazy. So if you missed it the first time, here it is again:

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Can I tell you a secret? I wrap stuff every day for Georgie Love. All packages come gift wrapped in some form or another (I change it and mix it up according to materials and inspiration). I like playing with colour and thinking of nice ways to wrap stuff, because to begin with, I was not very good. I am certainly not spectacularly great, but I am ok, if not a little lazy. I have a lot to do, so I genuinely have it down pat - quick, easy, not too elaborate. I like it when stuff I order is gift wrapped, so I do it for Georgie Love.

If people have special request - I happily oblige, gift cards, notes, Christmas wrapping. If you want it done in a certain way, you only need ask. (Christmas Paper this year courtesy of BEC - thank you Bec!)

Here's the secret part - it's Christmas and I am now officially SO OVER wrapping, so I really don't want to (can't be bothered) wrap presents for our family and friends. I have done TONS already and I think I should be exempt. I have never been a joyful wrapper and I have been looking at folkses blogs who love wrapping and get real joy out of it. A few years ago, I devised an INGENIOUS plan on how to wrap presents for the family. Note: this plan will only work if you have either a) pets or b) very small children. I am now going to share this hot tip with you.

I tell people that Georgie wraps their presents. It's incredibly lazy, quick and sort of cute (sort of). And this is how I do it.

1. Get all your supplies together before you begin. Pick your paper. You can choose either fancy Christmas paper, or newspaper, brown paper etc.

2. Place your present in the centre of the paper, as demonstrated

3. Pretend you were either born without fingers or any manual dexterity and in a haphazard fashion SCRUNCH (this is a very important technique to master) the paper around the gift.

4. Using your tape (or if advanced/confident, you could use string, wool or thread as well, but the technique remains the same) secure the paper to the object by wrapping around and around the gift in a sloppy zig-zag fashion.

5. The end result should look something like this.

6. To really "jazz" up your gift, add ribbons, bows, glitter, stickers, whatever you have handy. The more the better. And if your items clash or are the wrong season - fantastic. Your gift is now ready.

7. For the final touch, write a thoughful handwritten note to attach to your present.

8. Final result. Simple. Effective. Memorable. There will be nothing else like this under the tree.

When giving the gift, make sure (this is essential) that you make a big deal about how Georgie (insert your pet or young child's name here) went to the shop and chose the gift especially for them and wrapped it ALL BY THEMSELVES. AREN'T THEY CLEVER!

Please note that this skilled wrapping technique can be applied to Birthdays and anytime gifts as well, it's not just limited to Christmas.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Ok, so I wrote a whole page of HOT AND NOT and I am sad to say that I just can't do it. Not to say that there isn't great and shit things going on at the moment, every day is a mixed bag of both, but writing about all the things that are a downer (Rubes new nasty cold, tiredness, mysterious aches and pains, long days, not enough sleep, messy house, dreary days at the University) is just a downer. Even when balanced with the good stuff (holidays, haircuts, yoga, reading, time with friends, Christmas) It makes me tired just to sit there and acknowledge it and write it down.

Hm.

Anyway, I've spoken before about my love for Neko Case and she is touring Melb on 14 or 15 Jan. I am going I have decided, I missed the last tour but I SHALL NOT miss this one. DrMr will stay home and look after Rubes (pity), but do you want to come?

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Putting lots of new things on Georgie Love, still in time for Christmas. I have always been a big, big fan of Trove's beautiful pieces, they are perfectly made, absolutely beautiful and affordable. Maker Brooke is also one of the loveliest artists I know and it's a joy to work with her. I don't usually wear earrings as I have short hair (but it's growing) and I think they look weird on me, but I am SO tempted by these earrings, I think they are just stunning. Ack. They just look glossy black, but there is all this texture and sparkle underneath it. Photos don't do it justice. I am hoping that someone doesn't buy them before I cave in and put them away for me!

Friday, December 04, 2009

I LOVE these, they are just wonderful and I had bought a few creatures from Little Black Crow a long, long time before they ever made their way to Georgie Love. Am a big fan and I just put 10 more little folk in the shop. I love William the elephant's festive little outfit and ears!

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Ok, I just sent one to DrMr to tell him he was naughty and going to get poo in a bag for Christmas, but if you have a LITTLE ONE who is DESPERATE to speak to Santa, this iS AWESOME. It's a personalised video from Santa, you put in their name, add some details and a photo and then it's sent to them to watch. LOVE!

Am desperately trying to think of who else is getting poo in a bag from Santa.

It's all quiet on the Sal-front. I have spent the past week or so feeling like I am pushing a boulder up hill. It's all huffing and puffing and all this extra work, for no outcome. UGH. Tedious and frustrating, too much paperwork, things breaking down and needing fixing, talking to people on the telephone and distractions. But we will get there. Of course we will. It's all these little niggly things to take care of. I don't cry when I am sad, I cry when I am frustrated and talking to Telstra yesterday HAD ME IN FRUSTRATED TEARS at the end and I DON'T EVEN HAVE AN ACCOUNT WITH THEM, IN FACT THEY OWE ME $80.70 AND HAVE FOR A YEAR AND THIS WAS MY FIFTH CALL TRYING TO GET THEM TO SEND ME A CHEQUE REFUND. They even acknowledge that they owe me money. ARGH.

Anyway, DrMr, Rubes and I are all good otherwise. The little nest of us is happy.

Yesterday Rubes and I spent the morning in Monbulk, cause it's close to home and quite lovely there, very relaxed and a non-touristy part of the hills with a couple of sweet cafes and quirky (not in a cool sense) shops. It even has three op-shops and my favourite (and I am telling you a big secret here) is the Monbulk Primary School one, which is a little out of the way of the main street, but it's gold. It's an absolute mess, but all books, all of them, all hard covers, kid's books, cook books, craft books etc are 10 cents. A bag of ladies clothes is $5.00. It's cheap and full of good stuff. They have some excellent vintage shoes, but whenever I visit, I have a babe on my hip and am only limited to what I can carry (seriously, you wouldn't want to put anything on the floor in there). I am seriously tempted to open an etsy store with just finds from the store (mostly books for me).

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Such a good song. And it's how I feel today, a sore wisdom tooth is messing with half my body. UGH. Taking some of this song energy and infusing it in my bones. Still haven't dragged myself off the floor yet.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Ok, we are back from the HOLIDAY in MOOLOOLABA, which was GOOD, although after 6 or so hours traveling home, I am fairly exhausted and only half-heartedly looking at emails and all the outstanding orders for Georgie Love. Tomorrow perhaps.

ANYWAY, holiday was good, although the muppet had a cold for all of it, DrMr had a sore throat and we saw the first proper-proper 15 minute full-blown tantrum from Rubes in our last night (not wanting dinner related), which mostly had us in giggles at the melodrama of it all, lots of rolling around on the floor, grand gestures of throwing arms in front of eyes and kicking at furniture. I am assuming it's partly a scorpio baby thing too. She's at that stage where I know she understands and responds a lot to what I say, but hasn't developed the skills to be able to fully express what she wants. So yes honey, I know that you'd rather play than have dinner right now, but I'd prefer to have a baby with a full belly at bedtime, than one who wakes up starving at 2am and demands something to eat then and there, when I just WANT TO SLEEP.

lowlights:1. Good lord, I don't think there was a minute I didn't have a drink or food in my hand, I am an OVERSTUFFED SAUSAGE right now2. Ruby's cold3. DrMr's sore throat4. Baby tantrums and moodiness5. Getting up at 4 or 5am with Ruby6. My sunburnt shoulders7. A delayed flight home

Even though I am complaining bout the 4 and 5am starts, quiet mornings on the beach with Rubes and I were some of my favourite parts.

Did we?... Of course we did!

More pics (op shop related) to follow. Right now, lying on the floor is the most important thing.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Here at the beach, weather is lovely - warm but not roasting. I think it is warmer in Melbourne at the moment, but Rubes has a cold. When I show you photos I took at the greatest op-shop known to man, you will cry. Oh my.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Ok, so look at that blog heading, A BOLD STATEMENT IF I EVER HEARD ONE. The secondary title to that is "PETTY THINGS THAT GIVE ME THE SHITS", I THINK this is number three for official petty things in the blog.

OK, do you know what I HATE with a PASSION? BUTTONS OR POPPERS ON DOONA/DUVET/COMFORTER/QUILT COVERS. They are the most useless things KNOWN TO MAN. I am so anally retentive and bothered by them, that if I kick some open and hear them pop in the middle of the night, I am forced at 4am to get up, feel around in the dark to press them all together. I have to check the bottom of the bed every night before I go to sleep to see if the buttons are all done up. The stupidness of the DOONA COVER OF WONDER is that it has button closure, but like 30cm up from the end n the underside of the doona. Right where my feet lie, when I am curled up with it tucked under my chin, so one too-enthusiastic leg kick means that 4 buttons undo and I have to sit up and DO THEM UP AGAIN. Impossible for me to leave.

MANCHESTER MANUFACTURERS OF THE WORLD, I IMPLORE YOU TO ADD A ZIP CLOSURE INSTEAD OF BUTTON OR POPPER, IT WILL MAKE ME VERY HAPPY.

Other than that, the air con is STILL NOT FIXED. The aircon (was trying to think of an offensive word here to describe him, but not toooooo offensive), anyway the AIRCON LOSER-FLAKE-OVERTALKER GUY was here yesterday, but as he left our remote in his glovebox for 4 days in 35 degree heat, it's now broken and needs to be replaced too. Can I say how much I dislike him? He is so unreliable, gives a million excuses and if our aircon ever breaks down again, I would rather live without it than deal with him again. I have been having middle of the night anxiety about it, which is NO GOOD AT ALL.

Hot weather has led to lots of bathtime fun on the balcony or in the shade of the tree ferns. Apart from this morning, when an unprecedented morning shower had to take place as Ruby was deciding if rubbing vegemite on toast in her hair would give her luscious salon-quality style and glossiness. The answer is no, it doesn't.

Only two more sleeps till the BEACH HOLIDAY. DrMr has been working all weekend so he doesn't have to think too much about work next week, which is understandable and good to do so we can relax together next week, but also extremely tedious as Rubes and I have been stuck indoors waiting for the stupid and very unreliable aircon man.

Trying not to look at how many orders I need to send out before we leave, time to stop procrastinating.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Hi there, obviously my new thing is NOT POSTING, that's because somewhere in the week I collapsed in a hot and tired heap and could not be roused with cold glasses of champagne, lemon-lime gelati or even promises of cool, un-child-filled, showers. But I have finally SCRAPED myself off the floor and am back propped up at my desk. It's been busy, I've been tired. We had Rubes first birthday last weekend and ALAS I took no real photos of note on the day, there are some but I haven't sorted through them to find some non-blurry ones and the day after I had a presentation thingy to give at Craft Vic on selling online and then after those two big (slightly stressful events), I was too tired to form a cohesive sentence to anyone.

Here is one photo taken after the party, every one has gone home, we were tidying up and Rubes appears to be sitting in her party dress, in a big puddle of water on the floor, eating watermelon. Fortunately that dress was remarkably wash and wear and is in good condition to come out again at Christmas. Party itself was good fun, lots of our lovely friends were there, Rubes had a great time and was thrilled that there was a never-ending stream of people to push her on her swing. Am very glad I don't have to think about entertaining again for ANOTHER YEAR.

Gosh.

Other news from this week: I met Map29 at Craft Vic and she is super-lovely, our aircon is broken the repairman keeps putting us off and I want to punch him in the face as it's 29 degrees at night in Ruby's room, Georgie Love is officially in Christmas rush.

But we are leaving on Tuesday next week for here. For 5 nights. Ok, yes with a child so it's not as ROMANTIC as it could be, but Ruby deserves a holiday too. Georgie is having a holiday with my friend Lucy, which HE LOVES as he spends 99% of his time BEING PETTED AND SPOONED. No joke, he doesn't want to come home from there when we go pick him up, he sighs and trudges out to the car.

Oh, wait you wanted to see more of our FORTHCOMING HOLIDAY? We apparently have an oceanside apartment, which means this is our view.

More sooner, rather than later. OBVIOUSLY need to go slap on some fake tan.

Friday, November 06, 2009

I break my RADIO SILENCE which is for no good reason, other than busy-ness and work malaise to tell you that I made the absolutely unnecessary purchase of babushka measuring cups. I nearly bought 2 sets because I thought they would soon sell out quickly (which they did, more coming soon apparently), but although I could think of 100 different people to give them to, there was no good reason for the time and which of those friends would be my lucky favourite with the cups? So now just my set sits on my windowsill in the kitchen waiting for the next baking session, which was going to be carrot cake as I have some sad carrots, but alas no time at the moment.

This little one here is 1 on Sunday. I have already started decorating the house. It is going to be RIDICULOUS. The amount of decorations (many) do not correspond with the size of the party (smallish). I said to DrMr, are all these decorations, too much, too froufrou? He said no, as it's a party for a one year old, it is impossible for it to be too much. I love that man.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Ok, so I have missed nearly a week of Blogtober, which is not just negelectful, it's BAD. Have had a very frustrating week from my day job and I try not to get worked up about a place I am only at 2 days a week, but some how the grumpiness has creeped out and tainted the rest of the week. I will get there. Just don't expect chirpiness on Wednesdays and Fridays at the moment.

Rubes has a temperature and is not keeping her bottles down. She is otherwise in good enough spirits and sipping water ok. Am about to try some cereal for her and see how she goes, but it's her first proper temp so I am a little antsy.

Anyway, I took these photos days ago, to play along with Pip and Lexi.

My favourite corner. DrMr is fortunately very patient with me and just lets me go crazy witht eh decorating, which is a mish-mash of no styles and just whatever makes me happy. This is the corner going from the second story up to the third. The giant and WONDERFUL wolfy decal was meant for a door, but it was a little too big (my fault Lyndsay!), so DrMr and I made the executive and wine inspired decision that the wolfy would be running down the stairs. The tree is also a Made by White creation, with various prints and paintings, a blink clock, paper birdy (I am obsessed with paper things) and wooden mushrooms. Oh and see that BAG hanging on the end, made from wonderful Momo fabric? I MADE THAT. It's our library book bag. Unfortunately under the stairs a collection of boxes is also visible.

My favourite shelf - harder, since the shelves are mostly crammed with books, papers, toys and baby related paraphernalia. This is the shelf behind my Georgie Love desk, it's at the top of the stairs going down into the first level (kitchen), so you sort of walk past them and down. It's a mess of dvds, prints that I haven't got around to framing yet, Frankie calendar (love!) which as I have an electronic diary, I never write on, magic 8 ball, birthday crowns DrMr bought for my birthday in AUGUST (yep, haven't got around to putting them away yet), a photo of Rubes with DrMr's best friend and his daughter, um some Georgie paintings that made their way onto postcards, candles as we lost power like 5-6 times in Winter, a chalkboard to do decal (again Made by White which is usually a mess of post it notes rather than chalky notes and was obviously taken on a day when I was ORGANISED, are you sensing a theme? I love those ladies). And finally there is a pile of zines, recipes and invitations that I need to respond to in a pile.

MOST LIKELY my favourite shelf is in the fridge! I am a foodie, so I get an enormous sense of well being when I open the fridge and it is filled with a million different good things to eat and make.

Bedside table. Which I didn't touch before photographing it and I probably should have, in viewing some of the lovely, tidy ones I have seen. Next to WORLD'S BEST DOONA COVER. Um, books, books, books two seperate book lights for late night reading (the green proper one died, so I am using an IKEA nightlight for under the covers. Tissues, bottled water, ventolin and lip balm (Burts Bees for me). A lemongrass smelling candle they gave me for free when I bought the bedside tables, which has obviously never been lit. And another pile of books.

View from the door. Wherever DrMr and I are, I always have to have the side of the bed closest to the door - I don't care about left or right sides, I care about QUICK EXITS. And more paper goodness. I am obsessed with paper garlands. OBSESSED. Our house is not super-fancy, but it's COSY. The bedrooms are on the third level and so have a sloping roof and the 70s swedish bath house wooden wall decor. Lovely.

About Me

Sally doesn't necessarily make stuff, she's obsessed with the stuff other people make. Being "blessed" with her father's sausage like fingers (and one too many accidents involving children's scissors and clag), Sally was forced to abandon any ideas of a crafty creative future.
http://www.georgielove.com is her website. Georgie is her dog. Other than that, she is a 36 year old geek-girl mama who likes comics, animals, music, apple computers and the sofa. She has a good heart but some really bad dance moves.